Rancho de Español Language School

My teacher, Lourdes, was fantastic! I learned so much from her. The food was absolutely delicious and the staff at El Rancho were very nice and welcoming. My room was huge and very comfortable. I didn’t like the location of the school however. I couldn’t go walking as the cars drive like crazy and there were no sidewalks.

The classes were one on one with a very talented and caring teacher. It was totally a Spanish immersion course. No English was spoken unless after three attempts to make me understand a phrase or concept, she would give the answer in English. The class room was on a private "finca" with classes in little screened-in huts large enough for four people. There was a chalk board, four chairs, and the sound of a river rushing just beneath our classroom. My class ran from 8-10 with a half-hour break, then 10:30 to noon. Walked the 300 meters to my house for lunch then back to school at 1:30 until three PM. This was 5 days a week.

There were no activities as I was the only student in the school. However, the parents of my host family were my age and took me on a two day excursion to a resort on my weekend there. The parents and the host family were fabulous. I now consider them to be close friends. In the house which is very modern, I had a private room and a private bath. (Cold water only) It was like being in the Army again. Deja Vu. The school did offer me some tours on the weekend, but I had a friend who lives there and wanted to spend the time with him and his family.

The host family lived right next door to the woman's parents and were so accommodating. They made me feel as part of the family.

The location of the school requires one to take a bus or taxi to the city (Alejuela) which is about 20 miles away. It is very conducive for learning, but to get anywhere one either has to walk nearly a mile to the nearest restaurant or take a bus or taxi. I became ill one day and Manuel, the school director drove me to a pharmacy to have my blood pressure taken. It was normal and they said I was dehydrated. I bought some Gatorade and Manuel bought me a couple of coconuts to drink the milk. 30 minutes later, I was fine.